Back in 1998, the world of digital printing perfected its processes and made significant reductions in production operating costs, as well as introducing several new printing equipment and technologies. This revolutionary trend is expected to accelerate as the industry advances in the coming years.

Advances in digital printing are being made in both the still image on-press platemaking approach and direct-to-paper (plateless variable imaging) technology. The popular “I can do it better, faster and cheaper than you” was the rallying cry of Indigo, Xeikon, IBM, Xerox and Agfa, as the pioneers of digital variable image color printing intensified their jockeying for market share. the market. A good sign of the growing reach of digital variable color printing in the traditional print market is press dealers.

The association of new models and notable modifications to existing modern machinery opens up better, less expensive production performance that will better serve customers overall. All moving in the direction where the cost of digital variable printing has dropped considerably. And a decrease in cost is widening the market.

Xeikon, one of the leading providers of high-tech digital printing services, recently announced a strategic partnership with Varis, which is expected to result in sophisticated full-color digital printing software that will be available early this year. Indigo has announced two new press configurations, one at each end of the cost and performance spectrum.

Today, high-speed color copiers are starting to look more like low-end variable-image digital printing presses. Xerox has divided its line of DocuColor 40 copier/printers into two basic versions: the 40CP and the 40PRO. The 40CP is a networked copier/printer equipped with digital control from EFI. It is suitable for local copying as well as low-volume network printing. The 40PRO is designed for sophisticated color document production, emphasizing speed and color quality.

As printers look to retrofit their plants for the 21st century, they must make tough choices between conventional and emerging digital presses. One mistake can put a company’s survival at risk, but failing to re-equip itself to meet customer expectations will almost certainly be fatal. Knowing when to take advantage of the technology available in the print room has become the most difficult task in print management.

Digital press development is proceeding at a rapid pace for both still image and fully variable image presses. Still image developments are being led by technologies in press direct to plate making. Full-color presses with 100 percent variable capacity are entering the production mainstream as their operating costs drop, while output quality improves and presses get wider and faster.

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